Beep & Dig Detecting Forum

Quoteoleterryg
DeLeon? Why no mention of the DeLeon? I understand it's a very good MD. There is a long time detectorist who posted a video on you tube who claims the DeLeon is the best of the Tesoro. Pretty convincing too.

Deleon is one of the best tesoros Ive used....If I get a shot at another one at a good price Im grabbing it.
Depth and sensitivity are really good on it.

Quoteoleterryg
DeLeon? Why no mention of the DeLeon? I understand it's a very good MD. There is a long time detectorist who posted a video on you tube who claims the DeLeon is the best of the Tesoro. Pretty convincing too.

Deleon is one of the best tesoros Ive used....If I get a shot at another one at a good price Im grabbing it.
Depth and sensitivity are really good on it.

I think everyone has their favorites, and mine would not be a Tesoro without adjustable ground balance. "The Lion" may be perfect for parks and manicured lawns, but probably would not be so perfect for where I hunt, in places which are often quite mineralized. I feel a need to take control of GB.

If I were thinking of a TID detector, I'd look at a Racer II or maybe a Deus; Deleon is too basic, and pretty ancient.

I wouldn't dismiss the Deleon as basic and ancient. It's a simple turn on and go machine that works extremely well. There are lots of machines with more bells and whistles for sure. I doubt very much that they will find much more than a Deleon in the hands of an experienced user.

Yes, most likely very capable in certain soil conditions. But for anyone to think it's not ancient... Maybe they're not paying attention to what else is out there, or how technology changes in the 14 years, since Deleon came out..
Not saying the Deleon won't work great for you.. As a Tesoro, I'm sure it's a relatively functional unit. It's just not for me, and certainly not what I see as their best.

Two days ago, I dug this 925 ring from a muddy sled slope, loaded with small hot rocks. The rocks were ground balanced out to the point where I could still hear what they were, but I purposely avoided going too positive on the GB, as I could audibly differentiate the rocks from a desirable target. Too positive, and you lose both depth and target response. Too negative and the machine won't calm down... I was using my Outlaw/8" donut, BTW. I usually run a 5.75 coil around that type of area, but I only had a couple hours before dark, and wanted to do a couple sled slopes. I sort of doubt I could have found this ring without a manual GB.

Don't have a large Tesoro list yet but would like to start growing it to what others own. Vaquero then the Compadre for fine jewerlry as well with the Vaq usually keep my 5.75 con on most of the time using my Comadre 8" Coil go to and if I feel will add my 11x8 RSD, really all I need and have my Display 300i Ace as well. I think there is a huge future of fine small item finds out there that people are listening to those sounds to dig with there respectable detector they own. What I have fills that need for a few years, but for future Tesoro have to say would be these in order...just because, Outlaw 3 coil pak, Bandido II uMax, Tejon, Silver uMax then possibly the Deleon..all in that order.

I have 5 Tesoro based machines and the only one if i use one these days is the UK based Vaquero or Laser Trident11 Extreme with the 11x8 coil and also mainly used these days will smaller coils on ie the NEL Snake which i used for ultra trashy sites and also for stubble busting using the coil to get in between the stubble rows when the crops come off.The Trident 11 is very light even with the 11x8 coil on,although if i am honest the jury in my opinion is still out making a verdict on this coil,its 'ok' as a general coil but does not excel at anything specific on my sites/permissions.

The Compadre i had to buy one of those after all the recommendations from across the pond,that just sits in the corner gathering dust,one of the most overrated machines that i have bought but saying that it was never ever going to become a everyday machine,still cannot see anything in the machine,mainly use it if i do on a long shaft for occasional use on river crossings with the 4'' coil on and also use it with the same coil on for pinpointing when deep relic/hoard hunting with a rig rig setup.

But i must admit i do occasionally like taking my old faithful Laser B1 and B3 out for a enjoyable swinging session,in the day both these machines had been the No1 one machines here in the UK,but that was like 20+ years ago,if it was just one latest offering from Tesoro that i would have liked to have tried would probably have been the Deleon or the UK version that was called the Laser Hawkeye the main difference of course between the US and UK version was the icons and modified slightly too show UK coinage,but as i 'never' use a screen to make the dig/no dig decision as that is still solely done by audio.Its a shame as these days i cannot recall the last time i have seen a Tesoro machine being used here but i do see other brands being used by the 1000s then the odd old timer who still uses his old Tesoro but although he does find some items nothing like what a Deus or CTX produces.

Deus and Nexus MP main everyday detectors

Displays on a Detector are really the equivalent of relying on sub-titles,give me a Analogue machine anyday.

you can just grab a couple and get out hunting with them ... find stuff ... and keep asking yourself which one you like the best. It's not an easy decision as they all have their own plus and minus points, as do all metal detectors. And search coil selection and assignment to different models can also swing your preferences one way or the other.

Currently I have five different Tesoro models in my Regular-Use Detector Team, each with a coil I prefer on them for most hunting and two larger-size coils for different sites and tasks. The 'BEST' Tesoro to have is the one that is in-your-hand and working a site for you.

This thread is now three months old today and SEMPERFI61 ought to have his Tesoro choices figured out by now. If not, start a 'collection' of some well respected Tesoro models and work with them to learn and appreciate their strengths and weaknesses.

Hummm, I think I'll take advantage of this beautiful day which is mostly clear and sunny with a high headed to a comfortable 73° and just grab one or two of my own Tesoro's and go detecting. I figure this will be an 'original' Bandido and Vaquero day.

Other Specialty-Use Detectors from:Compass, Makro, Nokta, Tesoro and White'sNote: Detectors are listed alphabetically by Brand, NOT in my order of preference for use. Additional search coils on-hand in accessory bags.